BlueMissionMed announces the Winners of the “Society4Med” Award in Support of the EU Mission to Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030

In the framework of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”, the EU-funded BlueMissionMed project, in collaboration with the European Commission (EC), is proud to announce the winners of the “Society4Med” Award. This award recognizes outstanding initiatives that engage citizens in transformative actions, contributing to the Mission’s objectives of protecting the Mediterranean Sea and fostering sustainable practices.

The “Society4Med” Award, launched in collaboration with the European Commission, CNR, FVA, La Saison Bleue, and WWF, is an opportunity to celebrate the social commitments of Mediterranean initiatives, that encourage active public engagement in environmental preservation, focusing on two key categories:

• Category 1: Awareness and communication campaigns/activities
• Category 2: Citizen science

The judging criteria for both categories were based on each initiative’s contribution to the Mission’s goals, the number of citizens involved, the innovativeness of the formats used, the replication potential, and the overall impact in protecting the Mediterranean Sea from pollution.
The expert jury for this award included partners from the BlueMissionMed project, namely FVA, WWF, and La Saison Bleue for Category 1, and MedWaves and CNR for Category 2. Additionally, the jury featured an external expert, Claudia Pecoraro, further ensuring a diverse and balanced evaluation process.

For the Awareness and Communication Campaigns/Activities category, the winning initiative is #adopteunpad: The Superpower of Commitment for Our Seas and Oceans by Herocean.

This project excelled in seamlessly integrating pollution prevention with raising awareness, using an exceptionally impactful approach. Herocean not only installed anti-litter devices in high schools and commercial areas, preventing thousands of cigarette butts and plastic debris from reaching the Mediterranean each year, but also amplified its message by showcasing the collected waste. By placing transparent waste columns in these areas, Herocean turned the intercepted litter into a powerful visual tool, reinforcing the tangible impact of individual actions. This striking display of the pollution prevented from entering the seas served as an effective reminder of the problem, deepening public awareness and inspiring more citizens to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors. The combination of direct environmental intervention and this compelling visual communication strategy significantly heightened public engagement, making Herocean’s initiative a key player in both pollution prevention and environmental education.

Several other initiatives received special mentions for their exceptional contributions:

• Save Your Hood by The Extra Mile was recognized for its outstanding community engagement, involving thousands of citizens globally in collective efforts to clean beaches and public spaces.
• #Potavristou by AKTI Project and Research Centre was commended for its broad social media engagement, successfully activating citizens worldwide to participate in litter collection and reporting through a simple hashtag #Potavristou.
• If Nature Could Speak by Ecoembes was praised for its disruptive and viral social media campaign, which used sarcastic and humorous videos focused on biodiversity and conservation.
• Martina Stella di Mare by Marevivo FVG and Increasing Marine Environmental Awareness Through the Creative Arts by Enalis Physis Environmental Centre (Cyprus) were both acknowledged for their creative educational activities, engaging children.
• Island Guardians – For a Plastic-Free Med by Esplora Interactive Science Centre (Malta) was recognized for its holistic approach, combining beach cleanups with well-structured educational programs, including toolkits, books, and an art exhibition.

For the Citizen Science category, the winning initiative is Surfing for Science by Universitat de Barcelona & Surfrider Foundation Europe.

 This project stands out for its inclusivity, encouraging participation from all members of society regardless of social status, age, abilities, or gender. Through collaboration with various associations, over 400 citizens have been trained to collect microplastic data using manta trawls, actively contributing to scientific research. Coordinated by Surfrider Europe and the University of Barcelona, the project has revealed that microplastic pollution in nearshore areas is higher than in subtropical gyres, and that plastic breakdown occurs close to shore. This paradigm shift in research highlights the power of citizen science, providing scientifically meaningful results while raising awareness and fostering public engagement. Its impact is evident through scientific publications, media coverage, and public outreach. The project has brought a significant shift in coastal microplastic studies, empowering citizens while raising awareness about pollution. Its influence extends through scientific publications, media coverage, and public outreach, potentially shaping consumer behavior and environmental policies.

Also in this category, other initiatives received special mentions for their exceptional contributions, specifically:

• The Marine Watchers Network by Oceánidas impressed the jury for its innovative and inclusive approach which support the craft of Spanish women “rederas” by commissioning them to create recycled net bags, used by volunteer divers during cleanups, thus preserving a traditional craft while generating employment for unemployed women.
• The Custodians Plastic Race by BioDesign Foundation was recognised for engaging communities in coastal cleanups by utilizing digital tools to track pollution, aiding in the identification of high-pollution areas and supporting future environmental policies.
• Local Mission Etang de Berre by Association Wings of the Ocean was mentioned for the great impact on the engagement of local citizens and local authorities, fostering impactful collaborations between associations, institutions, and communities to preserve the environment.
• Marnoba by Asociación Vertidos Cero was finally acknowledged for its use open data to support decision-making and the implementation of measures to combat marine litter based in scientific knowledge.

Both category winners will be formally awarded at Ecomondo, the benchmark event in Europe for technological and industrial innovation in the circular economy, during the workshop “Boosting technology, business models, and societal engagement for the implementation of the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters in the Mediterranean”. During the event, the winners of the Society4Med award will be presented to the whole stakeholder community to inspire similar activities across and beyond the Mediterranean basin.

All the above-mentioned initiatives, as well as other shortlisted submissions will be included in Society4Med’s booklet of BlueMissionMed project and widely disseminated through the project’s channels.